The Portland daily press., 1887-10-05
THE CHURCHES.
BaptIsts Meet at Bangor; UnItarIans
at Saco.
Eminent Men From other States
Attend.
Work of the Churches in Maine for
the Last Year.
Especial to the Press.l

Work of the Churches in Maine for
the Last Year.
| Especial to the Pressl
BANGOR, Oct. 4.-The Baptists of Maine
in large numbers assembled on Tuesday NJ
$50 a. M. in the house of worship Of the
First Baptist church, The first hour wa,
devoted to a social service. At half mast
nine the Maine Baptist Missionary Conyen-
tion opened its session, Hon. Moses Gid
dings of Bangor, the president, in the chair
| The Scriptures were read and PRAYER was
offered by Rev. T. F. White of Bath. The
pastor of the First church of Bangor. Rev.
| T. E. Busfeld, in words Of hearty greeting
welcomed the delegates, both for their own
sake and also for the sake Of the churches
represented by them. After the appoint
ment of the usual committees, Rev. c. ".
Hanson of Skowhegan, presented the report
on the state of religion in the churches. The
history of the churches for the year was
carefully reviewed, both in their material
and spiritual aspects.
Mr.. John M. Foster Il Waterville, son of
| Professor Foster of Colby University, who
is under appointment as a missionary to
Swatow, China, presented the claims of the
American Baptist Missionary Union, in an
earnest and vigorous address. We are do
ing much, he said, but we ought to do more,
and he urged that in the smaller and espec-
jally in the pastorless churches, there should
be more attention to this work.
Rev. r. III. Tozier, in hearty words. pre-
sented the fraternal greetings of the Free
VIII Baptists of Maine. He was followed
by Rev. f. c. Rogers, who, in an interesting
address. presented the fraternal greetings of
the Methodists of Maine.
The work of the American Baptist Publi-
cation Society was then discussed by Rev.
z. III. Spalding, the society's New England
district secretary. The different depart
ments of the work Of the society were
sketched out, and the Importance of the
work was indicated.
Rev. DR.. Burrage of Portland offered the
following resolution:
Resolved, That we have observed with interest
the recent movement for union of the Baptsts
anu anu free baptlsts OF the British Maritime Prov
OF union' already adopted by the Baptlsts Of
these provinces In their annual convention, to the
Maine.
After remarks by DR.. Burrage, giving
history OF this movement in the Provinces,
the resolution was unanimously adopted.
Rev. Charles Miller of SkOwhegan, who
was 93 years old on Saturday last, sent to the
convention, through Rev. G. v. Hanson, an
expression of his affectionate remembrance
OF his brethren, and of his deep interest i'm
them and in their work. Rev. @. V. Hanson
was deputed to extend to Father Miller the
Christian congratulations of the members of
the convention. There was also a greeting
from Hon. G. f. Emery of Portland, and a
ike salutatl0n was sent to him through Rev.
A. L. Dunn. The president of the cOnven-
tion referred to the loss sustained by Rev. K.
Worth of Kennebunk, in the recent death of
his wife, and an expression of sympathy
was sent to him. Prayer was offered by
Rev. K. Nugcnt.
The committee on nominations then re-
ported, and the following officers were
elected:
President-Hon. Moses Giddings.
Vice President-Rev. G. ID. B. Pepper, ID. ID.
corresponding Secretary-Rey; J; Kicker, D. d.
Treasurer-Prof. J. b. Foster.
Auditor-J. w. Philbrick.
large board of trustees was also elected.
and the morning session then closed.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
Reassembled at 2 o'clock. Prayer was Of
fered by Rev. j. +. Bowler. The report Of
the treasurer OF the convention, Prof. John
y. Foster, as read by the recording secre-
tary. The amount OF funds on hand Sept
l, 1856, S2l ,4O2.O6 The receipts have been
from the estate Of Gov. Coburn, 100000
contributions Of the churches. $3,651.24 in
terest account, $2,S21.0S; legacy of Lucy +.
Robinson, $1,000; legacy of Sarah G. Thayer,
S120; legacy of Mrs. Sally Thayer, $3.50:
legacy Of Elizabeth n. True, 500; legacy of
Sarah Jewett, sl5 donation Of Emily Peas
lee, $500 The expenditures, including S.
216 special grants for church buildings, Sl3,-
S55.49. The permanent fund Sept. /, 1887.
was Sill, ,702.72.
Rev. j. Kicker, ID. d., corresponding sec
retary OF the Convention, then read the re-
port OF the trustees of the Convention. Ref
erence was made at the outset to the spirit
ual results Of the lab0rS in the mission
churches during the year; also to the mate
rial progress made by these churches, with
special mention of the churches in Farming
ton, Bar Harber, Fairfield. Ludlow, Bowd-
oinham, and Kennebunkport. Appropriate
reference was made to the legacies men
TONED above. As to the general missionary
OF the Convention during the year, it can be
said that this arm of the service was never
stronger than during the past year, hut is
now weakened by the resignation of Rev. N.
q. French. Glimpses were given of the
work OF the convention among some
OF the churches. especially South Litchield
Presque Isle. Penobscot Belfast and vicinity
(MOrrlll and N0rthport), Buckfeld Atten-
tlon was called to some especially needy
lelds, such as that north and northeast of
Oid6own, and containing 62 of the "a towns
OF Penobscot county. OF the 10000 inhab-
ltantS on this field, 10000 are practically
without the privileges of the Christian sane
tuary furnished by all denominations. There
Is Just such state of things in some other
counties; A roll call of the churches in
towns where there are no sanctuary privi-
leges would startle us all These moral
wastes should be visited and cultivated. Out
slde ald must be wisely rendered. Persistent
more vigorous policy, too, was urged with
reference to our growing villages and towns
In the older portions of the State.
Inc report was discussed by Rev. DR..
Kicker, Rev; S. Hill, Rev. DR.. Matthews.
Dea. o. III. ingalls,, Rev. DIR. Crane. Rev. E.
Nugent, Rev. c. G. Long, and Prof. Eng
lsh. The discussion was one of very deep
interest.
The following telegram was received:
PROVIDENCE, X. l., Oct. A. 1887.
most mos eordlaly greets you In the Lord, and prays
that your deliberations and your work may be
blessed. With personal aid official salutation,
GEORGE BULLEN, President.
To this the convention cordially respond
ed. Rev. B. b. Merrill presented the fra
ternal greetings of the eEongregationalists of
Maine. IT.
After devotional services, participated in
by Rev. y. s. Small and Rev. A. Il. Dunn,
Rev. w. II. Roberts Of Rockland, preached
the annual sermon. Text, "Song Of Solo
m0D," 2, 10. Gods plan makes great things
possible. 1t is the high calling of Gods
W DttlT lluCu tTulb- lle QlfforenC9
between much fruit and little fruit is imper
tive, and it is not unnoticed by the Lord. In
the first place selfishness blights the fruits
of the Christian life. 1t may be a hid
den fault, but it is no less destructive. In
dolence, is injurious to the Christian life.
We must not yield to it. Watchfulness IS
indispensable In securing the best results.
Another foe is distrust With it there can
not be any right development of the Christ
ian life. We can, we must keep all these
foes out. Christ has indicated the way. He,
us to heed the injunction of the TEXT By
reason of these obligations let us double our
diligence as servants of Jesus Christ. and
our future is one of brightest promise. The
sermon was rich in practical truth and was
listened to with very deep interest through
out. 81
Mr.. V. r. Foss of Portland, addressed the
convention with reference to the Society OF
Christian Endeavor, presenting its aims and